How-To Geek

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Don't buy a multi-color 3D printer until you understand what "purge waste" actually means

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 15:45

After having printed in a single filament color for years, I found the idea of a multicolor 3D printer extremely appealing. There's no arguing with the results either. Multicolor prints are a big step up aesthetically, and there are big practical upshots too for functional prints.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to use Conditional Columns in Excel Power Query

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 15:30

Excel formulas are great until you need to stack 10 of them inside each other—one wrong bracket can ruin your entire afternoon. You can skip the headache by moving that logic into Power Query. Conditional columns let you build "if/then" rules visually, keeping your data clean and easier to manage.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop wasting drives on RAID 6—why I ditched it for RAID 5 in my homelab

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 15:00

RAID 6 is the best form of RAID to run in a homelab, right? I don’t think so. RAID 6 might offer slightly more protection than RAID 5, but I prefer RAID 5 for my NAS systems—here’s why

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why Android phones used to feel more innovative (and what we lost)

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 14:45

Android in 2014 was a playground for innovation. The ecosystem was much simpler, and everyone was kind of doing their own thing. This led to more frequent fresh ideas compared to what we have today. Here's some of the stuff we thought was groundbreaking back then—and I would really love it if a lot of these things were still around.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This free app does what Windows refuses to: Let you actually customize your right-click menu

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 14:30

Windows 11 reworked many of the fundamental interfaces that we use day in and day out, and only a few changes were more controversial was the right-click context menu. It is difficult to customize, harder to declutter, and changes elements we'd been familiar with for decades.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally found a reason to use the USB port on my smart TV

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 14:15

All modern TVs come with at least one USB port, but aside from powering a Roku stick, what is it any good for? One option—streaming media off a storage drive—is hardly a secret, but life finally gave me a reason to put this feature to use.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I put a moisture sensor in the "wrong" place and learned some awesome Home Assistant automations

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 14:00

Moisture sensors are usually intended for specific purposes, but there's nothing to stop you from using them however you want. I've tried placing moisture sensors in some unusual places, and the results have been excellent.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Zendaya & Sydney Sweeney's polarizing show finally streams today on HBO Max

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 13:45

After a four-year hiatus, Euphoria makes its triumphant return to television tonight. Season 3 of the polarizing TV show starring Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney premieres on April 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This immutable Linux solved my biggest technical frustrations

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 13:30

I installed Linux over the weekend, and not just any version of Linux—an immutable one by the name of Fedora Silverblue. Now that I don't have to worry about my underlying system, my switch back to Linux has been easier than it's ever been, and nearly all of my frustrations from the past are gone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 more fast home repairs you can 3D print with a few grams of filament

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 13:00

Having a 3D printer can change the way you think about outstanding home repairs. Sometimes, a fix is just a few minutes away, and it only costs a few cents in filament and a bit of spare time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tried 5 free Premiere Pro alternatives, and this is the one I’m sticking with

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 12:30

Adobe Premiere is one of the most popular video editors out there today, but as time has gone on, I've realized that I don't use it nearly enough to justify the cost of a subscription. I tried 5 alternative editors, but one stood out from the crowd.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Govee Outdoor Chromatic String Lights review: Bright, colorful, and Matter-compatible

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 12:00

The Govee Outdoor Chromatic String Lights are, as the name suggests, a more saturated take on outdoor string lights. They may be pricey, but their attractive design and durability join Matter-compatibility in making these lights a compelling addition to the exterior of a modern smart home.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 ways I take my Home Assistant setup outside my home

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 00:00

Home Assistant may be smart home software, but that doesn't mean that you're limited to using it inside your home. There are plenty of ways that I use Home Assistant outside my home, and they're some of my most useful automations.

Categories: IT General, Technology

76% of drivers say luxury badges aren't worth it anymore—here's what they want instead

Sat, 04/11/2026 - 23:00

There was a time when the luxury car experience was inseparable from the badge on the hood. If you wanted rich leather upholstery and cutting-edge tech (like CD players and heated seats back in the day), you paid a prestige tax to a handful of legacy brands. In that landscape, the logo was a status symbol that told your friends, neighbors, and colleagues you’d arrived.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Disney+'s weird relationship with Blu-ray is hurting physical media

Sat, 04/11/2026 - 22:01

Despite the initial excitement, Disney has seemingly forgotten its streaming catalog's Blu-ray releases. Beginning in August 2023, the company began releasing content from Disney+ on physical media, allowing us physical media collectors to own the best that the platform has to offer on our shelves. The last of the currently released 12 titles was released in 2024, with no further waves having been announced since.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I switched from iPhone to Android, and CarPlay is the one thing I miss most

Sat, 04/11/2026 - 21:45

I will put it upfront that I do not like iPhones. Despite being a Mac and iPad devotee, my three-year dalliance with iPhones has come to an end and I could not be happier. Coming back to an Android phone (an S25 Ultra) feels like being unchained, but it's not all fireworks and celebration.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Pixel 10a's rounded corners just ruined my $2,000 Galaxy Z Fold

Sat, 04/11/2026 - 21:00

I have loved my Galaxy Z Fold 6 for over a year, but something bad has happened—I reviewed the Google Pixel 10a. That phone fit so perfectly into my hand that I'm questioning if I really want to return to my boxy foldable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How the 2026 Honda Passport quietly beats more expensive rivals

Sat, 04/11/2026 - 20:45

Americans have always had a soft spot for SUVs. It’s not hard to see why, since they’ve pretty much replaced the old station wagon for hauling kids, gear, and everything in between.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 everyday devices that secretly run Linux

Sat, 04/11/2026 - 20:30

When Linus Torvalds released the Linux kernel all the way back in 1991, I wonder if he had the faintest inkling of how world-changing it would be. Not only because it's a robust clean-sheet approach to replicating UNIX, but also thanks to its open software license.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 anime shows coming to Netflix in 2026 that will redefine your watchlist

Sat, 04/11/2026 - 20:00

2026 is an incredible year for movies and shows alike, with some highly awaited titles dropping in theaters and streaming platforms. And if you're an anime lover, there's something for you too, whether it's a returning hit show or a new adaptation that fans have been waiting for.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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